This article was made possible by SecretProjects forum member MihoshiK. The information was originally posted to Dutchsubmarines.com but unfortunately has been lost since. By posting it here we hope to preserve and share knowledge of these interesting designs.
Advanced Dutch multi-hull submarine designs of World War Two
At the start of World war Two, naval architects from the Dutch B.V. Nederlandsche Ver. Scheepsbouw Bureaux took refuge in the United Kingdom, where they continued to design submarines. Although the designs remained unbuilt, the designs give us an interesting insight into the unique and innovative Dutch submarine design tradition.
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Instead of a single pressure hull like almost all other submarines, the Dutch proposed five main tubular pressure hulls arranged in a cruciform with the main one running along the top, one below it at the front and back (with a break in the middle) and one running along each side. There was also a smaller pressure hull below the conning tower containing the captain’s cabin.
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Operational Submarine
Design # 2061
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Photograph of plans from collection of J.J. Kragten
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Photograph of plans from collection of J.J. Kragten
Specifications
Length: 89 meters (292 ft)
Beam: TBC
Displacement: 1,125 tons surfaced, 1,500 tons submerged
Speed: Maximum 22 kts surfaced, 20 kts submerged
Operating depth: 150m (500 ft)
Armament: 6 x 533mm (21") torpedo tubes in bow, 4 x 533mm (21") torpedo tubes in stern, with 6 reloads, 2 x 2.4 inch cannon (800 rds), 2 x quadruple 20 mm Oerlikon AA.
Cargo Submarine
Design # 2063
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Photograph of plans from collection of J.J. Kragten
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Photograph of plans from collection of J.J. Kragten
Specifications
Length: 85 meters (279 ft)
Beam: TBC
Displacement: 1,600 tons surfaced, 2,000 tons submerged
Speed: Maximum 16 kts surfaced
Operating depth: 150m (500 ft)
Armament: None (234 mines, moored, contact, 1 ton each (replaces cargo))
Cargo: 150 tons
Postwar Legacy
The post-war 3-cylinder Dolfijn/Potvis-class design clearly stems from these designs, with a three-hull arrangement within a smooth outer casing. The three hulls are arranged in a triangle with the main hull on top containing forward and aft torpedo rooms plus the main accommodation and control spaces, and the engines and batteries in the lower hulls.
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